Atherosclerosis Treatment in Union Springs, AL

Atherosclerosis is a disease that affects the arteries of your body and is sometimes called "hardening of the arteries." Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart to the tissues and cells of the body.

During atherosclerosis, fat, calcium and cholesterol join together to make a sticky plaque that hardens inside the arteries. This can put your body at risk for a variety of health problems and limits how much blood reaches the tissues of your body.

Risk Factors for Atherosclerosis

Your risk factors for atherosclerosis may be higher if you do not exercise, if you smoke or eat an unhealthy diet. Your family history of heart disease and atherosclerosis is also important. In some cases, atherosclerosis may not be diagnosed until after a piece of plaque has broken loose, or an artery becomes totally blocked, causing a heart attack or stroke.

How is Atherosclerosis Diagnosed?

Diagnosing atherosclerosis may require a spectrum of different tests that range from simple to complex. In addition to providing an accurate history and receiving a physical examination, you may undergo a combination of these tests:

Treatment for Atherosclerosis

The best way to treat atherosclerosis is with lifestyle changes. Eating right, exercising and quitting smoking will improve your overall health. In some cases, surgery may be needed to open partially clogged vessels. A stent may be placed to hold an artery open and improve blood flow or the vessel may be cut and rerouted around a blockage. Surgery is reserved for severe or advanced cases.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Atherosclerosis is a common condition, researchers are working hard to develop new, better ways in identifying and treating this condition and its side effects. Find out more about your personal risk factors for atherosclerosis. Call (334) 781-7319 or contact Alabama Functional Medicine online.